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The Written Program of Veterinary

Care

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Attending Veterinarian Information - Select a Topic - ▾ Go

The written program of veterinary care is an important tool that supports the

attending veterinarian’s authority.  It represents the relationship between the

licensee or registrant and the attending veterinarian by documenting instructions of
the attending veterinarian and the facilities agreement to carry them out.

A written program of veterinary care is required for all facilities with a part-time

attending veterinarian or consultant arrangement.  In accordance with the newly

published Licensing Rule, a written program of veterinary care is also required for all

dogs (regardless of the attending veterinarian’s schedule with the facility).

A well written program of veterinary care will provide guidance for preventive care,

common veterinary issues, and when a call to the attending veterinarian is

warranted.  The more details and directions the attending veterinarian can include in

the program of vet care, the better the facility staff will be able to understand and

follow the directions as expected.  Adequate details also help our inspectors verify

that licensees and registrants are following your instructions when we are at the

facility.

An attending veterinarian may create their own written program, use one of the

forms provided by the USDA, or have the licensee or registrant write up a program

that the attending veterinarian would then review and approve.

While specific topics are not required for animals other than dogs, it is appropriate to

use the written program of veterinary care to document a facility’s program to

prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries.  Topics that may be

covered include:

Contact information for the attending veterinarian and any emergency

contacts

Vaccine schedules as appropriate for the species

Parasite control for internal and external parasites

Euthanasia by attending veterinarian or for procedures allowed by

licensee/registrant under the attending veterinarian’s training/direction

Pest control

Quarantine procedures

Nutrition, especially for exotic species

Congenital conditions

Proper storage and handling of medications/biologics

Safe handling practices for difficult animals

Capture and restraint methods for wild and exotic animals. If the program

of veterinary care includes more than one method, it is helpful to include a
detailed description of all capture and restraint methods a facility might use.

Proper use of analgesics/sedatives

Species specific behaviors and/or social needs

Zoonoses

Water quality for marine mammals

If a licensee or registrant will be providing veterinary nursing care when the

attending veterinarian is not on site, the attending veterinarian is encouraged to

provide written instructions for the following to help ensure the procedures are

conducted as intended.

Administering medications

Administering vaccinations and parasite preventative medicines

Caring for wounds and other pre- or post-procedural care

Caring for animals recovering from surgery

Our regulations provide attending veterinarians with the flexibility to determine

which topics are relevant to each facility and therefore should be included in the

written program of veterinary care.  There are a few topics, however, that are

required to be addressed in a written program of veterinary care for dogs:

Annual physical examination

Vaccine schedule for rabies, distemper and parvovirus is required

Sampling and treatment of parasites and other pests.  Must describe a

schedule for heartworm, fleas, and intestinal parasites.  

Preventive care and treatment to ensure healthy and unmatted hair coats,

properly trimmed nails, and clean and healthy eyes, ears, skin, and teeth

The requirements for a written program of veterinary care for dogs are described in

greater detail under, "How does the new Licensing Rule affect veterinary care for

dogs?" 

Guidance for Off-Label Use of Medications or

Vaccines

The attending veterinarian should provide written instructions for any off-label use of

drugs, vaccines, or treatments.  The instructions will need to provide details such as
dosage, route of delivery and frequency.  The attending veterinarian may choose to

document off-label use instructions in the written program of veterinary care. 

Alternatively, the written instructions may be provided in the medical record or as

treatment instructions at the time the medication is prescribed.

Regulated facilities are required to follow the directions in the written

program of veterinary care. 

The best way to ensure an attending veterinarian’s guidance is followed is

to include it in the written program of veterinary care. 

7002 (USDA program of veterinary care form)

7002a (USDA program of veterinary care form for dogs) (231.18 KB)